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Nicofiends activity

Hype Lab

A creative activity where young people explore how marketing can make ordinary things seem more exciting, popular or hard to ignore.

What it explores

This activity helps young people think about how products are promoted. It looks at how names, colours, packaging, slogans and social pressure can make something seem more exciting than it really is.
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Time
15 to 20 mins
Age
Ages 11 to 16
Setting
Classroom, Youth group, Community setting
Group size
Small groups

Activity at a glance

Best for

Marketing, persuasion and selling a feeling.

You’ll need

A few ordinary objects, paper, pens and optional sticky notes.

Key message

Marketing often sells a feeling – not the full picture

How to run it

  • Give each group an ordinary object, such as a cup, pencil, rubber, empty box or bottle.
  • Ask each group to turn their object into a product people would want to buy or try. They should give it a name, slogan and short sales pitch.
  • Encourage groups to think about the feeling they are trying to sell. Is it confidence, fun, friendship, popularity, calm or fitting in?
  • Each group presents their product to the room.
  • After each pitch, ask the group what made the product sound appealing and what information was missing.
  • Link the activity back to smoking, vaping and nicotine. Explain that products can be made to look exciting through flavours, colours, packaging, social media, price, offers or the idea that everyone is using them.

Discussion prompts

  • What made the product sound appealing?
  • What feeling was the group trying to sell?
  • What information was left out?
  • How can packaging, colours or slogans change how people feel about a product?
  • Where might young people see this kind of marketing in real life?

Reflection

This activity helps young people notice how marketing can shape the way they feel about a product. It encourages them to pause, question what is being sold and think about what might be missing.

Download printable materials

Link To Smoking, Vaping or Nicotine

Hype Lab links to the way smoking, vaping and nicotine products can be made to seem more appealing through marketing, packaging, flavours, social media and peer influence.

The activity helps young people notice when they are being sold a feeling, such as confidence, fun, calm, popularity or fitting in, rather than being shown the full picture.

Adapting the activity

Make it Easier

Give each group a ready made product name or slogan to build from.

 

Make it Harder

Ask each group to add a hidden catch to their product, then discuss whether people would still want it if they knew the full story.

Safety Note

Keep the discussion general and focused on marketing, pressure and choice. Do not ask young people to share personal or family experiences of smoking, vaping or nicotine use. Follow your setting’s safeguarding process if a young person raises a concern.

Ready to Run The Acitvity

Download the activity PDF or go back to the resource hub to find another activity.

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